There has been a lot of talk about the voting for this year’s All-Star Game being held in Cincinnati, mainly because the American League starting lineup included seven Kansas City Royals and Mike Trout. While Royals fans did their part to vote, many millions of votes were discounted due to fraud. While there are several deserving players who will not be all-stars this year, here is my opinion on who should start the 2015 All Star Game:
First Base: Miguel Cabrera and Paul Goldschmidt
Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter in the world and should be included in the display of the best ball players MLB has to offer.
Paul Goldschmidt is currently dominating National League pitching and is providing hope for a dismal Arizona Diamondbacks team. Both of these first basemen are currently slated to start according to the voting, and it should stay that way.
Second Base: Jose Altuve and Brandon Phillips
Altuve has been the cornerstone to the Houston Astros success this year, and he deserves to be back at the All-Star Game. While hitting just below .300 and swiping 21 bags, he is 500,000 votes behind Omar Infante of the Royals.
Phillips, on the other hand, is in fourth, a few million behind Dee Gordon. While Gordon has the stats to start, it would be a nice treat for the hometown crowd to see their beloved Dat Dude start.
Shortstop: Elvis Andrus and Brandon Crawford
Andrus has been the key in turning the Texas Rangers around. His fun loving attitude and solid play on the field are reasons why he should be included in the Midsummer Classic. Andrus isn’t in the top five for voting, so its unlikely we’ll see him at Great American Ballpark.
Crawford has been one of the reasons for the San Francisco Giants’ success year in and year out, and 2015 is no exception. His numbers are up there with the tops for NL shortstops, and is second behind Jhonny Perlata by a little over two million.
Third Base: Josh Donaldson and Nolan Arenado
Donaldson has been hitting for average and power this year, with an average above .300 and 18 homers. His 48 RBI are most among AL third baseman, plus his glove is unreal at the hot corner. He currently sits a few thousand votes behind Mike Moustakas.
As for Arenado, this should be a no-brainer. He has the highest average and most RBI amongst NL third basemen, and his 24 home runs are one behind Todd Frazier’s. With only 2.5 million votes, he is well behind Matt Carpenter for the lead, while Carpenter’s stats aren’t that impressive.
Catchers: Steven Vogt and Buster Posey
Another no-brainer in my opinion, Vogt is having a breakout year and leads all AL catchers in average (.300), home runs (13), and RBI (53). While the Oakland A’s are having a disappointing season, Vogt is still giving them chances to win. “Everything Bagel” is six million votes behind Salvador Perez.
Posey’s .300 average is second for NL catchers, and his 11 home runs and 53 RBI are first. He has arguably been the best player the Giants have on their roster, and he currently leads the voting by one million votes.
DH: Alex Rodriguez
While this is a controversial call, A-Rod is the main reason the New York Yankees team has been competitive. He is hitting .285 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI, in the top three in each amongst designated hitters. A-Rod is some six million votes behind the leader; it’s unfortunate that we wont see another deserving player at the All-Star Game.
AL Outfield: Adam Jones, Mike Trout and Torii Hunter
Jones has been the Baltimore Orioles’ franchise player for years, and has produced in every year in Baltimore. While his average sits just below .300, his offensive numbers put him amongst the league leaders. Jones currently sits in seventh for the outfield voting.
Trout is Trout. Moving on.
Hunter returned to Minnesota this year, and aren’t they glad he’s back. While his average is a bit low, his ability to drive in runs is still there. He has been a leader to the young Minnesota Twins roster, but at 14th in the voting, he probably wont be a starter this year.
NL Outfield: Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen and Joc Pederson
Harper has been on a tear this year, and as the top vote-getter in the NL, we’ll see him in Cincy.
McCutchen’s stats are up there with the best, and as the leader of a talented Pittsburgh Pirates team, he has given that city life again during his short tenure. McCutchen is in fifth in the most recent voting update.
Pederson, on the other hand, is a rookie, but he is well deserving of the third spot. While I originally had this slated for Giancarlo Stanton, his injury will cause him to miss the game. Pederson has provided the spark at the top of the lineup that the Dodgers needed. He is currently in sixth, right behind McCutchen.
Agree or disagree with the selections? Let me know in the comments down below.
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